A disturbing case of alleged stalking has emerged involving Caitlin Clark, the rising WNBA star and recent rookie of the year. Michael Thomas Lewis, a 55-year-old man from Texas, has been formally charged with felony stalking after a series of alarming incidents targeting the 22-year-old athlete.

According to court documents, Lewis began harassing Clark on December 16, sending numerous provocative messages on her X account. His posts ranged from claims of repeatedly driving by the Gainbridge Fieldhouse - the Indiana Fever's home arena - to making sexually explicit comments that prosecutors argue caused Clark to feel terrorized and threatened.

Investigations by local authorities and the FBI revealed that these messages were sent from IP addresses linked to an Indianapolis hotel and a downtown public library. When confronted by Indianapolis police on January 8, Lewis claimed his actions were merely a "fantasy" and insisted he meant no harm.

However, prosecutors paint a more sinister picture, noting that Lewis traveled from Texas to Indianapolis specifically to be in close proximity to Clark. The prosecutor's office is seeking a higher than standard bond and a stay-away order that would prevent Lewis from approaching Fever home game venues.

The case has drawn significant attention given Clark's status as a prominent young athlete. Recently named Female Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press, Clark rose to national prominence by leading Iowa to the national championship game and subsequently being drafted first in the WNBA.

This incident underscores the serious challenges of online harassment and the potential risks faced by public figures, particularly female athletes, in the age of social media.